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Original poster

Has anybody here got a home PC network?

13 replies

Janh · 13/09/2005 10:19

AOL are promoting the idea (with a very very silly kids' TV kind of video) - you can have up to 4 PCs connected, with or without wires - has anybody tried it? Is it reasonably simple? (Apart from the wires trailing if you do it that way) And how much do routers cost?

OP posts:
SleepySuzy · 13/09/2005 10:21

We have 3, and got our router from Ebay!! Otherwise they are very expensive. I think we used the network wizard.

iota · 13/09/2005 10:31

we have a mac and a pc linked by wireless network - can't give you any details as dh did it

hub2dee · 13/09/2005 11:18

Hi JanH, routers with built in hubs (usually 2 or 4 ports) allow you to connect various PCs / Macs to your ADSL with Ethernet / 'CAT5' cable. There will be one cable running to each PC from your router.

Routers with built in wireless capability ('WiFi') allow you to connect various PCs / Macs to your ADSL WITHOUT wires, using their nifty built in wireless cards. (You need to buy these cards if your computer / laptop don't have them).

Oh, and some wireless routers have built in hubs too ! Best of both worlds !

WiFi is exceptionally useful particularly for laptops, and it greatly simplifies gettings PCs into the study / kitchen / lounge / kids rooms / garden without re-wiring the whole house.

A WiFi router is reasonably simple to get going, but first time round it can be a little daunting. If you can follow the instructions, and you have an ISP who answers the phone and is helpful, it will be easier. Maybe a local computer geek can help out with the installation ?

A non WiFi router is usually much easier to get going requiring only a name and password.

SleepySuzy · 13/09/2005 11:53

We don't have the wireless capability built in, so had to get seperate cards, but they were quite cheap.

Original poster
Janh · 13/09/2005 13:26

oooh, thanks all. There is a little local shop that does computer things, probably staffed by geeks, that might be a good place to start - DH is an IT bod but hopeless with wires and stuff; he does have people at work who do that kind of thing for him but we live miles away from them.

Thanks for super techy advice hub, esp about the hubs

OP posts:
tortoiseshell · 13/09/2005 13:33

We've got 2 PCs connected via a Linksys router, wasn't very expensive as far as I know. Also have a n old PC connected to the router as a file server. Dh did it, but it works really well, and means we can both use broadband at the same time, and also acts as a firewall.

QueenOfQuotes · 13/09/2005 13:34

If you decide you want a non wireless hub - DH has one he's wanting to sell.

It's the 3com Dual Speed Hub 5 one if you're interested (or anyone else LOL).

lou33 · 13/09/2005 14:11

We have Jan. We have 4 pc's in the house without wires. Routers aren't that expensive. It's a boon to the busy family

Original poster
Janh · 13/09/2005 14:18

lou, it would be so fab to get DS1 off my back when he needs to get on (I have work to do sometimes!)

How good are your 4 PCs? We have this main one and a newish laptop DH has from work (may not have that much longer but that's another story!) and also his very very old laptop from work and a fairly old and weedy PC - will they all work OK or will the old ones not have enough power?

(Can you tell I'm a complete ignoramus about this!)

torty, your set-up sounds good, we could do with a reliable firewall!

OP posts:
tamum · 13/09/2005 15:11

Jan, we have a wireless network at home but it doesn't reach to dh's study for some reason (on the top floor, don't know if you can picture where I mean). Anyway, my cousin's dh told us about this way of routing the network through the power supply (he's an IT professional) and we've been doing that. You buy the stuff (50 quid on eBay) and plug one thing into the back of your modem and into the mains, and the other lead into the back of your PC or laptop and into the mains and bob's yer uncle. Worked first time. It means you can't actually wander around but since I have a desktop PC it's not a big issue , and all rooms have powerpoints, eh. The seller on eBay doesn't seem to have any at the moment, but they are called rivercomputing and it's a Home Powerline Ethernet Networking set. You need netword cards in the PCs, I think. Off out now but will check later or you can email me if you need more info

tortoiseshell · 13/09/2005 15:39

I think any router will act as a firewall janh, because (and I don't really understand this) it won't let through things it's asked to let through if that makes sense. I'll ask dh again tonight, and he'll be able to clarify it.

lou33 · 13/09/2005 16:32

we have 3 laptops and an old desktop, they all seem to work ok with one another.

email me and i will get mr lou to help you out, if you want

Hausfrau · 13/09/2005 16:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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